IP Library Granted Patent US 8,317,620
Granted Patent B2
US 8,317,620 · App. 12/268,288 · Granted Nov 27, 2012

Tournament gaming systems

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,317,620
App. No.
12/268,288
Granted
Nov 27, 2012
Kind
B2
Abstract

Various embodiments are directed to gaming systems, gaming devices, and methods for presenting tournament games. According to one embodiment, a gaming system for presenting tournament games includes a plurality of gaming devices in communication with a tournament server as well as a plurality of tournament displays positioned throughout a gaming establishment. Each gaming device is configured to enable concurrent play of a base game and an on-demand tournament game in which the on-demand tournament game is player initiated. The tournament server manages play of the on-demand tournament game, and the tournament server determines a location of active and eligible players for the on-demand tournament game. The plurality of tournament displays are positioned throughout a gaming establishment, and the tournament displays are also in communication with the tournament server. The tournament server sends tournament information to the tournament displays near the location of active and eligible players of the tournament game.

Claims (30)

1. A tournament gaming system, comprising:

a plurality of gaming devices, each gaming device configured to enable concurrent play of a base game and an on-demand tournament game, wherein the on-demand tournament game is player initiated, and wherein a player can select multiple tournament games from two or more tournament games for immediate initiation of tournament game play on-demand, and wherein the tournament game is separate from the base game;

a tournament server in communication with the plurality of gaming devices, wherein the tournament server manages play of the on-demand tournament game, and the tournament server determines a location of active and eligible players for the on-demand tournament game; and

a plurality of tournament displays positioned throughout a gaming establishment that are in communication with the tournament server, wherein the tournament server sends tournament information to the tournament displays near the location of active and eligible players of the tournament game,

wherein the tournament gaming system continues to receive player wagers for base game play while the tournament games are automatically played on a secondary display.

2. The tournament gaming system of claim 1 , wherein the base game is presented on a main display and the tournament game is presented on a secondary device having a display and a processor, wherein the secondary device is operatively associated with the gaming device.

3. The tournament gaming system of claim 1 , wherein the tournament information is advertisements for one or more tournament games.

4. The tournament gaming system of claim 1 , wherein the tournament information is a leader board of the tournament game in which the active players are participants.

5. The tournament gaming system of claim 1 , wherein the tournament information is player-specific messages for eligible tournament games available to the player.

6. The tournament gaming system of claim 1 , wherein the tournament information is a number of seats available for a tournament game.

7. The tournament gaming system of claim 1 , wherein the tournament information is a time remaining before a tournament game is closed.

8. A tournament gaming system, comprising:

a tournament gaming server in communication with a plurality of gaming devices, wherein the tournament gaming server manages and configures the gaming devices for one or more player-initiated tournament games, wherein a player can select multiple tournament games from two or more tournament games for immediate initiation of tournament game play on-demand, and wherein the tournament game is separate from the base game; and

a management console in communication with the tournament server, wherein the management console includes a user display and a user interface having a plurality of fields for user input, the plurality of fields used to configure one or more player-initiated tournament games,

wherein the tournament gaming system continues to receive player wagers for base game play while the tournament games are automatically played.

9. The tournament gaming system of claim 8 , further comprising a plurality of tournament displays positioned throughout a gaming establishment that are in communication with the tournament gaming server, wherein the tournament gaming server sends tournament information to the tournament displays near the location of active and eligible players of the tournament game.

10. The tournament gaming system of claim 8 , wherein the gaming devices are dedicated tournament gaming devices, a player tracking user interface having a display and a processor embedded in the gaming device, mobile gaming devices, or any combination thereof.

11. The tournament gaming system of claim 8 , wherein each of the gaming devices include a main display for presenting a base game and a secondary device for presenting a tournament game, the secondary device having a display and a processor, wherein the secondary device is operatively associated with the gaming device.

12. The tournament gaming system of claim 8 , wherein the fields for user input configure player eligibility for the tournament game, duration of the tournament game, scoring methodology, award structure for the tournament game, award types, display settings for tournament signage.

13. A tournament gaming system, comprising:

a plurality of gaming devices, each gaming device configured to enable concurrent play of a base game on a main display of the gaming device and a tournament game on a secondary display of the gaming device, wherein a player can select multiple tournament games from two or more tournament games for immediate initiation of tournament game play on-demand, and wherein the tournament game is separate from the base game; and

a tournament server in communication with the plurality of gaming devices, wherein the tournament server manages the tournament game on the plurality of gaming devices, and the tournament server determines a location of active and eligible players for the tournament game,

wherein the tournament gaming system continues to receive player wagers for base game play while the tournament games are automatically played.

14. The tournament gaming system of claim 13 , further comprising a plurality of tournament displays positioned throughout a gaming establishment that are in communication with the tournament server, wherein the tournament server sends tournament information to the tournament displays near active and eligible players of the tournament game.

15. The tournament gaming system of claim 14 , wherein the tournament information is advertisements for one or more tournament games.

16. The tournament gaming system of claim 14 , wherein the tournament information is a leader board of the tournament game in which the active players are participants.

17. The tournament gaming system of claim 14 , wherein the tournament information is player-specific messages for eligible tournament games available to the player.

18. The tournament gaming system of claim 14 , wherein the tournament information is a number of seats available for a tournament game.

19. The tournament gaming system of claim 14 , wherein the tournament information is a time remaining before a tournament game is closed.

20. The tournament gaming system of claim 13 , wherein the secondary display includes an embedded processor that is separate and distinct from a processor for the gaming device.

Assignments (10)
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded May 23, 2025
From: LNW GAMING, INC.
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 071340/0404 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE THE APPLICATION NUMBER PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 051642 FRAME: 0164. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT. Recorded Mar 21, 2023
From: BALLY GAMING, INC.
To: SG GAMING, INC.
Reel/Frame 063460/0211 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Feb 7, 2023
From: SG GAMING, INC.
To: LNW GAMING, INC.
Reel/Frame 062669/0341 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Apr 22, 2022
From: SG GAMING INC.
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
Reel/Frame 059793/0001 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jan 18, 2020
From: BALLY GAMING, INC.
To: SG GAMING, INC.
Reel/Frame 051642/0164 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Apr 11, 2018
From: SCIENTIFIC GAMES INTERNATIONAL, INC.; BALLY GAMING, INC.
To: DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 045909/0513 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Dec 15, 2017
From: SCIENTIFIC GAMES INTERNATIONAL, INC.; BALLY GAMING, INC.
To: DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 044889/0662 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Dec 1, 2014
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
To: SHFL ENTERTAINMENT, INC; ARCADE PLANET, INC.; BALLY GAMING, INC; BALLY GAMING INTERNATIONAL, INC.; BALLY TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; SIERRA DESIGN GROUP
Reel/Frame 034501/0049 →
AMENDED AND RESTATED PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Nov 30, 2013
From: BALLY GAMING, INC.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 031745/0001 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 10, 2008
From: KELLY, BRYAN M.; CROWDER, ROBERT W., JR.; PATEL, PRAVINKUMAR; GREEN, ANTHONY E.; LINK, JOHN E.; SOLITERMAN, GENNADY; ALLEN, JEFFREY L.; LOCKARD, DENNIS; TALLCOTT, JEFFREY C.; LARSEN, JOSHUA D.; SCOTT, THOMAS; BARTON, CHRISTOPHER D.; VEMURI, SUDHEER; REDDY, METTU R.
To: BALLY GAMING, INC.
Reel/Frame 021812/0775 →